The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1887-03-10
Our Member OF Congress and the Deepen
dent Pension Law.

Hon. John w Stewart writes 10 the
Burlington Free Press the following letter
IN regard to the dependent pension bill:
mo bill was more grossly misrepre-
scuted by the press Of the country, and
the criticisms Of the president are hyper
critical aud dictated by spirit Of hostility
10 the policy Of farther extension to the
pension list, which he has repeatedly
shown ia yetoes Of most meritorious cases.
Under the bill total disability is o pre- re-
quisite to enjoyment Of its provisions
No one attempted to answer or could aus
uer the argument on that point. OF Mat
SOP, the chsirman OF the committee
Then as to the number OF benefcisries. the
estimate Of the committee was based MOI
upon conjecture, but upon carefully gath
cred ADD precise statistics, furnished by
the pension bureau, whereby the wild
conieetures Of the president and the pa
pefs who joined in the hue and cry. are
shown to have no ether foundation than
the varying iancies Of the DIRECTORS.
The personal influence OF the executive
was brought to bear upon the Democrats
Of the Honse, by which enough votes were
changed TO defeat the bill. As it was lie
had 30 Democrats aud solid Republican
vote Tor it. Every man from the South,
save Woodiord Of Kentucky voted against
i, while every Southern member voted
for the Mexican pension bill, far more oh
noGious to all the executive criticisms than
thus one, IS You will see by comparison.
Now AZ 10 the result here. The entire
pelsion legislation is stopped The Dem.
ocrs,s refused to give us last night for
consideration Of pension bills (se have
had Friday nights reg alsrlyl and the CON
mit,ee refused 10 meet again or to report
upoa any vetoed bill nov In committees
ior the reason as one OF the Democratic
members said to-day, that the Democratic
vote aill dciea, any bill however meri,or-
ious which has tailed 10 receive an e1ecu-
tive sanction. aud the committee decline
70 shtagonize the president any further
| assure you that the spirit which prompts
this action ROW il a. the bottom inspired
by ihe coniedera,es and the free traders
The commercial press is hostile TO tie
whole pension policy. The rich who can
best sfiofd to he taxed, are opposed
Fer myself 90 no, hesitate TO Soy
that Il ID toe duty Of the country nos TO
take care u The honorabiy discharged sol-
diers wboss disability ia total. who are
dcsutaie o. property aud shose disability
h uoi the result u vicious habiis Such
ia hiss ball. sud that Is all there is Of H.
Tue solid South is seains, IL The con-
mafesal and meneyci. men Of The coaptry
arc againai u, 70 some extent 81 least The
Democrats party is against i The mug.
vumps src sgainsi il; bat | believe the
Nafih besis rnspousiseiF ~ this Just call.
he scflbhlsss have skii thai ihn pss
ff1tapgNl hF had ~9s The w0Fk II pension
egents. which i ~ iaise ~ the other crit.
essms 90 ghs btf Every nentssr % the
t,eossnn esnnsitire 90 both sides stamps II
80 ~ ansaailefsied. Ii vac The work
rl Use eomnlslss. to lias with executive
rrcon mrrIssi5n A. 10 geaersi policr, and
prompted solely by desire 10 do lnsiies
10 = deserving class Of the nssions deiepd
en il ia hcan o. perl.
io1u ,faly.
J. W. sTrvAHT"